The San Francisco 49ers continued to retool their receiver corps Monday by agreeing to a one-year deal with veteran wideout Christian Kirk, sources told ESPN. The contract is worth up to $6 million, according to NFL reporter Jordan Schultz, who first reported the agreement.
Kirk, 29, joins the 49ers after spending the 2025 season with the Houston Texans. He began his career with four seasons in Arizona, followed by three years in Jacksonville before landing in Houston. Over eight NFL seasons he has amassed 432 catches for 5,415 yards and 30 touchdowns.
Last year in Houston Kirk battled hamstring issues, missed four games and finished the regular season with 28 catches for 239 yards and one touchdown. He did produce a standout postseason game, recording eight receptions for 144 yards in the Texans’ AFC wild-card win over the Pittsburgh Steelers — a franchise postseason receiving record for Houston.
In San Francisco, Kirk is expected to compete primarily as a slot receiver, complementing recent addition Mike Evans, who signed a three-year, $42.5 million deal during the opening hours of free agency. Ricky Pearsall is projected to operate more on the outside, with Kirk taking reps inside; he could also be considered for return duties, though he has not returned punts or kicks since 2023.
Kirk’s signing is the second veteran receiver the 49ers have added in a week and part of a broader overhaul of the position. Several players who figured into San Francisco’s receiving depth in 2025 are no longer with the team: Kendrick Bourne signed with Arizona and Skyy Moore is now with the Green Bay Packers. Jauan Jennings remains an unrestricted free agent after failing to reach an extension with the team last offseason and has not signed elsewhere yet.
Brandon Aiyuk’s exit from the roster appears increasingly likely. General manager John Lynch said in January that Aiyuk had likely played his final snap for the 49ers and the team has been pursuing a trade. With the new league year now underway, San Francisco can release Aiyuk at any time and designate him a post-June 1 cut to spread his dead-money cap hit over two seasons. If the 49ers complete a trade before June 1, however, they would forfeit that option and would be responsible for his full $29.585 million dead-money charge in 2026. Lynch has indicated the team prefers to find a trade partner and has kept Aiyuk on the roster while hoping a deal materializes.
As currently constructed, San Francisco’s primary receiving options include Evans, Kirk, Pearsall, Demarcus Robinson, Jacob Cowing and Jordan Watkins. The team also holds six selections in the first four rounds of April’s draft, providing additional avenues to add youth and depth at the position.
ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime contributed to this report.
